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I am an athlete. I've spent the majority of my life playing sports, training my body to "move faster, jump higher or be stronger", competing for the cherished title, and spending countless hours at the mercy of physiotherapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists or massage therapists in an effort to recover quickly ... so I could do it all over again. I AM AN ATHLETE.

When I look back at my twenties (which was more years ago than I would like to admit) my world was limited to my apartment, my class schedule and varsity sports. I lived from weekend to weekend until I graduated with a degree and was faced with the realization that I had to get a job. Beyond school I really didn't know what I wanted to do, or what I would be good at, let alone a career that I would have an all encompassing passion for. So ... when I met Katrina Wright, a 21-year-old entrepreneur following her dream of starting a company that let's her help others and share her creativity, I was blown away!

Halloween is just around the corner ... and the mad dash to devise a clever costume begins! Honestly, I don't have fond memories of Halloween. I either got the embarrassing homemade ensemble (that didn't look anything like what I was hoping for) or the "crackling" plastic costume and mask (with the elastic that ALWAYS broke) that woke up the entire neighbourhood when I walked down the street and knocked on doors begging for chocolate. Whenever they put treats in my pillowcase I swear they gave me extra because they felt sorry for me and my pathetic costume. Regardless, I got MORE candy!

Against popular belief, blogging is NOT my profession. It's my fun weekend hobby that gets me out in the community and meeting lots of amazing new people. In reality, much of my career has been focused on motivating people to get off their butts, away from their desks and getting physically active. Yup ... I am a fitness nerd and full blown exercise advocate!

When I moved back to Calgary in 2013, after living in the US for several years, my American friends were puzzled by my decision to come home. Although I moved stateside to "chase the American dream" it didn't take long to realize that something was missing ... something that (at that time) was hard to describe. It wasn't until I moved back to Calgary that I realized exactly what it was ... community.

Although I am Chinese, I've spent most of my life turning to Western medicine. As hard as my mother tried to get me to take Chinese herbal remedies when I was younger, I resisted her efforts every step of the way! I wanted the cough syrup that tasted like fruit punch or the pills from the pharmacy that the doctor prescribed. It wasn't until I worked for a pharmaceutical company (in my previous life) that I started questioning the system and was open to looking for alternate options.

I never considered myself "creative". Growing up, I would breeze through math and science, solving problems and understanding theories (my Asian brain in its "happy place"), but would stare at a blank piece of paper or canvas waiting for the "answer" to appear. I didn't understand how someone could take an idea or draw on inspiration to create something so beautiful for the world to see. I have always admired this gift and hoped that (one day) I would learn how. And then I met Pam Morales!

Angela Dione and Angel Guerra were onto something when they created Market Collective, an independent market, giving local artists and budding entrepreneurs a place to call "home". After spending the last three days in the East Village, at their seven year anniversary event in RiverWalk Plaza, there is no question in my mind that we are now living in the "Age of the Entrepreneur"!

I have worked with many photographers in my lifetime, many of which during my years modelling for Elite in Toronto. The photographers were typically men, between the ages of 30 to 50 years, were incredibly serious, wouldn't strike up a conversation, didn't make eye contact, and rarely smiled. Marta Tomašir is NOT your typical photographer.

Growing up in a small town with only four television channels (and long before smartphones, tablets or the Internet even existed), playing "dress up" with my friends was one of my most favourite things to do. I remember transforming four dining chairs and a bed sheet into a secret world where we could be anyone and do anything imaginable. Luckily, being the youngest of four sisters, colourful fashions, glittery accessories and an endless supply of pink lipstick and eyeliner were always within reach.